The Truth About Taking Shortcuts in Life
Coach John Wooden, who won 10 NCAA championships for UCLA baketball, 7 of them in a row in 1964, 1965, 1967–1973, and 1975.
“If you spend too much time learning the ‘tricks’ of the trade, you may not learn the trade. There are no shortcuts.”
- John Wooden
Think about it—how often do you find yourself searching YouTube or Google for the fastest way to success in what you’re trying to accomplish? Maybe you’ve looked up:
How to lose weight without exercising
Hacks for making viral videos
How to get a six-pack exercising 10 minutes a day
The easy way to make $3,000 a week
I know these searches well—because I’ve done them myself. But here’s the hard truth I’ve learned: You can never be a master in anything relying on shortcuts.
The Problem with Shortcuts
When I chased hacks, tips, and tools, I wasn’t building the skills that actually matter: The Journey—resilience, experience, persistence, understanding, and most of all, satisfaction. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t putting in 100% effort, and that realization made my achievements feel undeserving and failures more frequent.
It’s like playing a video game with cheat codes. Sure, you can get unlimited ammo, extra health, and all the best gear—but when you face competition who played the game without shortcuts, they will always beat you. They know:
Where to find resources
When to conserve energy and heal
The best strategies to win
How to adapt when things go wrong
They earned their knowledge, while you simply took a shortcut. And in real life, this difference matters even more.
If You Love Something, You Won’t Look for Shortcuts
If you’re constantly looking for an easy way out, ask yourself: Do I really love what I’m doing?
Because when you truly love something, you put your heart and soul into it. You don’t rush the process—you embrace it. You want to learn everything, go through every challenge, and come out stronger. That’s how you build real success, not just temporary wins.
So next time you find yourself looking for a shortcut, remember: the long way is the right way. Put in the work, master your craft, and success will follow.
What’s one area in your life where you’ve tried to take shortcuts? Let’s talk in the comments!
